Method of Dispensing a Material
A method and system for dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus is provided. The material initially comprises or is manipulated to comprise a low viscosity. The material either can comprise a curable material or can comprise initiators, which can be activated to raise the viscosity at a later time and position. The low viscosity material is moved through the delivery apparatus for a relatively long distance using low energy. Upon nearing an end use application, the material and/or initiators can be activated by a curing agent, such as a light or heat source, such that the viscosity of the material be raised prior to the end use application thereof. Therefore, the present invention provides a method and system for moving a material normally having a higher viscosity a long distance requiring lower energy and pressure.
1 . A method of dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus, comprising:
pumping a material capable of changing viscosities through the delivery apparatus toward a patient's body, wherein the material is one of blood or medicine;
at least partially changing the viscosity of the material while pumping the material toward a dispensing apparatus; and
dispensing the material comprising the at least partially changed viscosity through the dispensing apparatus to an end use application.
2 . The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a UV light initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus.
3 . The method of claim 2 wherein the viscosity is changed by exposing the material to an ultraviolet (UV) light source.
4 . The method of claim 1 further comprising adding a heat-curable initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus.
5 . The method of claim 4 wherein viscosity is changed by exposing the material to a heat source.
6 . The method of claim 1 wherein the end use application is one of an infection site on the patient's body or a surgery site on the patient's body.
7 . A method of dispensing a material through a delivery apparatus, comprising:
taking a material capable of changing viscosities;
reducing the viscosity of the material from a first viscosity to a second viscosity;
pumping the material having the second viscosity through the delivery apparatus;
at least partially raising the viscosity of the material to a third viscosity while pumping the material toward a dispensing apparatus; and
dispensing the material comprising the third viscosity through the dispensing apparatus to an end use application.
8 . The method of claim 7 wherein the third viscosity is the same as the first viscosity.
9 . The method of claim 7 wherein the third viscosity is higher than the first viscosity.
10 . The method of claim 7 wherein the third viscosity is lower than the first viscosity.
11 . The method of claim 7 wherein the material is one of blood, medicine, resin, oil, silicone, and plastics.
12 . The method of claim 7 further comprising adding a UV light initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus.
13 . The method of claim 12 wherein the viscosity is raised by exposing the material to an ultraviolet (UV) light source.
14 . The method of claim 7 further comprising adding a heat-curable initiator to the material prior to pumping the material though the delivery apparatus.
15 . The method of claim 14 wherein viscosity is raised by exposing the material to a heat source.
16 . The method of claim 7 wherein reducing the viscosity includes thinning the material.
17 . A system for dispensing a material, comprising:
a delivery apparatus having a first end and a second end;
a curing station at or near the second end of the delivery apparatus;
a material capable of changing viscosities capable of being pumped through the delivery apparatus and towards the curing station, wherein the material is one of blood or medicine; and
a pump in fluid communication with the delivery apparatus for pumping the material through the delivery apparatus toward a patient's body;
wherein the curing station is adapted to at least partially raise the viscosity of the material prior to dispensing of the material from the curing station.
18 . The system of claim 17 wherein the material includes a UV initiator and the curing station includes a UV-light that raises the viscosity of the material.
19 . The system of claim 17 wherein the material includes a heat initiator and the curing station includes a heat source for raising the viscosity of the material.
20 . The system of claim 17 wherein the delivery apparatus is a tube.
21 . The system of claim 17 wherein the delivery apparatus includes a dispensing apparatus at the second end and the delivery apparatus dispenses the material within the patient's body.